First Reading: Sir 42:15–25
Now will I recall God's works;
what I have seen, I will describe.
At God's word were his works brought into being;
they do his will as he has ordained for them.
As the rising sun is clear to all,
so the glory of the Lord fills all his works;
Yet even God's holy ones must fail
in recounting the wonders of the Lord,
Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength
to stand firm before his glory.
He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart;
their innermost being he understands.
The Most High possesses all knowledge,
and sees from of old the things that are to come:
He makes known the past and the future,
and reveals the deepest secrets.
No understanding does he lack;
no single thing escapes him.
Perennial is his almighty wisdom;
he is from all eternity one and the same,
With nothing added, nothing taken away;
no need of a counselor for him!
How beautiful are all his works!
even to the spark and fleeting vision!
The universe lives and abides forever;
to meet each need, each creature is preserved.
All of them differ, one from another,
yet none of them has he made in vain,
For each in turn, as it comes, is good;
can one ever see enough of their splendor
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R./ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
R./ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
For upright is the word of the Lord,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R./ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;
in cellars he confines the deep.
R./ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all who dwell in the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R./ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
Love is what we are here for
The readings today emphasise the importance of living a life centred on God. In the Gospel, a scribe asks Jesus about the primary commandment. Jesus responds by summarising the whole commandments of God given in the Books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus, emphasising the love of God as the first and primary commandment, adherence to which is possible only through loving one’s neighbour as oneself. Love of God and neighbour is superior to any form of sacrifice.
This first and greatest commandment is the basis of every norm of Christian conduct. Our love for God underlies all that we do, and our love for neighbours includes all, irrespective of their background or status. In fact, this commandment constitutes the essence of Christian life.
God’s Word is not chained, and His faithfulness is unwavering despite the limitations that often accompany the preachers of the Word. In today’s first reading, St. Paul speaks about the sufferings he endured for the Gospel and regards them as gains. Through our baptism, we are called to die with Christ and be brought to new life in the Spirit. Denying Christ leads to a voluntary separation, but even if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful, a constant source of reassurance and security in our lives.
The epistle encourages us to put aside worthless discussions and focus on our spiritual priorities. We are called to a completely different set of values in a world so marked by selfishness and lack of concern for others. The gospel that was preached to us is what we stand for. It is the path to life, truly the “good news” of God.
bible-claret.orgOpening Prayer
Our living God,
you are very near to us in our joys and pains.
Give us eyes of faith and love to see
the mission you have given us in life
and the grace and courage to carry it out.
Make us also clear-sighted enough to see
the needs of people who cry out their misery
or suffer in silence,
that we may bring them your healing compassion
and lead them to you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
In the first reading, in a prayer God is asked to show his greatness and holiness to all peoples by showing them his marvelous deeds.
Gospel Introduction
Jesus cures a blind man. Not only is his eyesight restored, but he also begins to see with faith who Jesus is. Note that the crowd first try to silence him but his faith is unstoppable and cannot be silenced.
General Intercessions
– Lord, see the eyes of children open to life; see the eyes full of hope of those who believe in your future and fill them with your light, we pray:
– Lord, see the eyes of those who suffer; see the lifeless eyes of those who are physically blind, we pray:
– Lord, see the eyes of those who fail to see others; see the eyes full of tears of those who mourn for those they loved, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our living and loving God,
the whole world is a sign of you:
your beauty is reflected in every flower
and each ray of the sun shines with your light.
Give each of us a grateful heart
that rejoices in simple things.
Give us new eyes to discover,
in these signs of bread and wine,
the love and the life of Jesus, your Son,
and give us faith to see how good it is
to be your people in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, our loving Father,
we have heard and seen your Son
and recognized him
in the breaking of bread.
Help us to see with his light
what is right and what is wrong in us.
Make us understand the deeper meaning
of suffering and pain.
And one day show us yourself as you are,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
Blessing
May God give to all of us eyes of faith and may he bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
